Hydrocycle



Patented Jan. 1, 1935 mnoorcm Carl Ring, Olney, Ill. 7 Application October s, 1933, Serial No. 692,545

1 Claim. (01. 9-18) The invention has relation to hydrocycles, having for an object toprovide an improved machine of this description wherein the person driving lies prone in a swimming position upon a support and exercises the muscles of the arms, shoulders, neck U and back as in swimming, and propels the machine at a much greater speed than would be possible in swimming. Another object is to provide a rudder control adapted for operation the feet and legs of the driver, whereby his vigor ous efforts inpropelling the machine as stated I will not be disturbed in the steering of the machine. Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear. I The invention consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts as set forth in. K the appended claim.

. In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention, Figure l is a plan view of the machine,

with parts in dotted lines, and Figure 2 is a section on the line 22, Figure l. f

In this drawing, the numeral 1 designates a main frameor support consisting of a flat horizontal board or the like, somewhat extended at the central portion thereof at 2 to provide more support for the body of aperson lying prone upon,

the support in a swimming position with the head inclined to one side as customary.

A screw propeller 3 is located in rear of the support and has a longitudinal shaft 4, located below the support andprovided at the forward end thereof with a small bevel gear or pinion 5 meshing with a large bevel gear 6 on a main drive shaft '7, the latter being located transversely of and on approximately the same level as that of said support, said shaft being provided with cranks 8 at its ends, and said cranks having handles 9.

' In driving the machine, on the rear stroke the l r crank arms 8 and the arms of the driver will pass through the water as in swimming to aid the drive, while on the forward stroke said crank arms and a @the arms of the driverwill pass through the air 10, is in linewith and inrear ofthe propeller; p and is provided with a horizontaltransverse conto lessen resistance. Due to the fact that the main drive shaft l is on the same level as that of the support 1 orwapproximately so, and the screw propeller is located below the support necessarily, the propeller shaft has a slight incline from frontto rear and the propeller on said shaft is slightly inclined downwardly, the propeller in this way exerting a slight lifting action upon the support as well as driving it forwardly. A rudder trol lever 11, having centrallythereof a fulcrum upon the pintle 12 of the propeller, the opposite arms of said control lever projecting laterally of support 1, which overlies and guards the pro peller. r

A further guard against interference of the propellerwith the drivers feet is provided by the tubular, casing; 13' within which the propeller.

works, and which isfsecured to and carried by the support 1.

Lateral floats or pontoons l lare provided, one

-, at each side of and spaced from the support 1, said floats being at the rear end portions only thereof connected to said support by means 15, the forward edges of which are concave to provide clearance for the arms of the operator working the cranks 8, such as shown at 15.

The post 12 of the rudder hasupper bearings 16 at the rear of the support 1, and lowerbearings 17 in a rear lowerextension of the tubular casing 13', the latter having a diameter substantially equal to the length of said rudderpost.

The handles 9 of the cranks of the drive shaft '7, are adapted to be located one within the grasp of the hand of one outstretched arm of the driver and the other within the grasp of the hand of the other contracted arm of the driver lying prone on the support 1 in swimming position, whereby a natural and powerful arm and shoulder action is provided for in driving, much as in swimming, and serving for the development of theswimming muscles of the arms, shoulders, neck and back.

The pedals 13 of the control lever 11 of the rudder are both located within easy reach of the feet of the slightly contracted legs of the driver.

The machine is adapted to support six or more persons and besides affording healthful exercise for the driver and amusement for the driver and the spectators, is adapted to be of considerable aid ingsaving life in caseofperil at seaside or 1 river resorts.

The invention is also adapted to be of use for scouting purposes in time of war, due to silence of operation and the speed at which it may be readily propelled.

'I claim:- M

In a hydrocycle, a straight fiat horizontal support, a propeller located at the rear end of said 10 ing located beneath said supportadjacent to and forward of said rudder and having a diameter substantially equal to the length of said rudder post, said tubular casing having a lower rear extension engaging and providing lower bearings for said rudder post, and said connecting means connecting the rear end portions only of said floats with said support and having concave forward edges to provide clearance for the arms of the operator.

CARL. RING. 10 

